Letter from Samuel Esselinkpas to William O Van Eyck.Letter by Samuel Esselinkpas of Holland, MI to William O Van Eyck telling the story of how his father survived the Phoenix disaster on Lake Michigan on November 21, 1847. He describes how his father traveled with his brother and his family, all of whom perished in the disaster. It also mentions his mother's sister's family (Koffers).

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Passengers on the Phoenix.On November 21, 1847, the propeller Phoenix perished on Lake Michigan, a couple of miles off the shore from Sheboygan. About 250 people died and only 43 people survived. Most of the passengers were Dutch immigrants.